Device for locating celestial bodies



June 6, 1944. J. L. SPEERT DEVICE FOR LOCATING CELESTIAL BODIES Filed July 1, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. L. SPEERT DEVICE FOR LOCATING CELESTIAL BODIES June 6, 1944.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 1, 3343 3mm ,JJ Leeri:

QuZz'us lll June 6, 1944. L, ER 2,350,374

DEVICE FOR L'OCATING CELESTIAL BODIES Filed July 1, 1943 s Sheets-Sheet s yulz'us OZ. J/zeert Patented June 6, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,350,374 DEVICE FOR LOCATING CELESTIAL BODIES Julius L. Speert, Washington, D. Application July 1, 1943, Serial No. 493,030

6 Claims. (Cl. 3544) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 3'70 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manuthis invention facilitates the predetermination of factured and used by or for the Government of the direction of Polaris at the time of the obserthe United States for governmental purposes vation so that it may be found with the telescope without the payment to me of any royalty thereduring daylight.

on in accordance with the provisions of the act 5 Azimuth may be defined as the direction of a of April 30, 1928 (Ch. 466, 45 Stat. L. 467). line or object from a given point, measured 01001.-

This invention relates to a device for locating wise, usually from the south. The azimuth angle a celestial body and is for use by surveyors, naviof a star is the angle that its azimuth line makes gators and others in determining the direction with the meridian, and may be measured in either and position of a selected celestial body or in dedirection from the meridian. All standard texttermining the direction of true north by referbooks on practical astronomy give formulas by ence to a selected celestial body. which the azimuth angle of a star at any time The invention has particular application for may be computed as a function of the latitude locating the North Star, also known as Polaris, and longitude of the point of observation, the and will, therefore. be described in such applicatime of the observation, and the astronomical tion for purposes of illustration. The adaptation coordinates of the star, its right ascension and of this invention to other specific stars, however, declination. The solution of the formulas is comwill be readily apparent from an understanding bersorne and requires the use of trigonometric of this disclosure. tables and tables of the star coordinates such as One of the basic problems of surveyors and are Contained in the A rican Ephemeris and navigators is the location of true north for the Nautical Almanac. To avoid the need of solvin purpose of determining direction. Because of irthe formula for each observation on Polaris taregular variations in the earths magnetism, and bles of the Azimuth of Polaris at All Hour Another weaknesses, th magnetic compass is not gles are published in the Ephemeris ELSEtfllilCtiOll suitable for accurate determination, and resort 5 0f the latitude and the sidereal hour angle of the must be made to astronomic observations. The observation. These tables are arranged for each star most frequently used for determining azi- 2 of latitude (Within the limits of the United muth or direction in the northern hemisphere is States) and for each 10 minutes of hour an ea Ursae Minoris. popularly known as Polaris. and h ir use requires double interpo for latisometimes called the Pole Star, the North Star, tude and for time, and also a computation of the or the Lode Star. This star is easily identified sidereal hour angle, which is based on the time at night from its relationship with other stars in and longitude of the observation and the right nearby constellations, It appears to rotate aSCGIISiOnS of Polaris and the mean sun. Values counter-clockwise about the North Pole in a min derived from the azimuth tables req t e cular path of relatively small diameter, making correction for the declination of Polaris. By the one complete passage in a sidereal day (23 hr. 56 use of the device of this invention, the true azimin. 04.25% sec. of mean solar time). Although muth of Polaris at any time may be determined its maximum departure from true north will not Without the need of any putat ons or tables exceed 3 for any point south of the Arctic Circle, (e ept as noted later) by a single Setting 0f the its true direction from any given point is cona of t e devicestantly changing and must be determined for the e lt tude of a star is its angu height instant of each particular observation. The deabove th hOI'iZOD- t a y p int on the earths vice of this invention facilitates that determiu e t l t d f a s s q l to the natio latitude of the place plus or minus a correction Although most star observations are ordinarily derived from the declinat n and 1 angle 0 made at night, night bservinghas many bvious the Star. The device Of invention gives disadvantages, particularly in connection with correction at the Same Setting t g es t e amwork that is normally done in daylight. such as with It y be d also for determining t e urvgying; and Such Work can be materially latitude of a station by an altitude observation on speeded if the star observations can be dur- Polarising th 1 .31 Althqugh P lari i t vi ibl t It is therefore an object of this invention to the naked eye during daylight. it ca be, Seen a provide a relatively simple device for facilitating observed in through a, surveyors telescope in the a determination Of direction by reference a daytime, if the weather is and if the tele- Celestial yscope can be pointed toward the star with suiri- An th r bj i to pr vi e a relatively simp cient accuracy to bring star into the field or device for facilitating the predetermination by a view. For this it is usually necessary surveyor Or navigator of the position of Polaris to know in advance the time at which the obor other celestial body at the time of observation servation is to be so that the direction of so that such body may be found readily with the the star may be predetermined. The device of 69 telescope during y h A further object is to provide a relatively sim thumb nut 2I, the arm thereb being retained in ple device, by which the true azimuth of a celesa selected position of axial and rotatable adjusttial body, such as Polaris, may be determined ment relative to the disc I6. The depth of the quickly and without the need of cumbersome and post section 26 is slightly less than the thickness time consuming computations. 5 of the disc I6, whereby the arm I! will lie fiat on A still further object is to provide a relatively the disc I6 in the assembled and adjusted D simple device which in one setting gives both the- 7 tion. The inter-fitting relation of section 26 of azimuth of a star and a correction for determinthe post 22 and the disc I6 prevent their relative ing its altitude. turning while the nut 2| is being tightened. When Still another object is to provide a relatively the nut 2I is tightene the arm I7 and th disc simple and inexpensive device of the character I6 are held together by the force of friction and described for field use, the'tension of the post 22 and are clamped be- A further object is to provide a device ofthe tween the t 2| and the p fl ge character described which, although relatively The lower end of the post 22 is otata y simple, has adjustments that enable highly premounted in the base I5. This mounting may be cise azimuth determinations and adapt the device a p d y m ans f a circular bearing 29 to requirements ofcarefuloflice calculations. into i h the se f he post 22 is p d" Other objects and advantages of this invention Fig. 7). The bearing 29 is retained between the will be apparent from the following description, D s flange 27 and & s er 3| Which s s dt the appended claims, and the accompanying the post base by a screw 30. The bearing 29'also drawings, wherein: has a pressed fit within a'hole in the base I5, as

Fig. 1' is a top plan view of a device embodyin shown in Fig. 7. This bearing 29 facilitates free the present invention. turning of the post 22, the washer 3|, the disc Fig. 2'is across-sectionalinew taken on line 2 -2 I6, the arm I7, and the nut 2| as a unit relative of Fig; 1. to the base I5. The base I5 has a flange 32 which Figs. 3 and 4 are top plan view of th ar nd acts as a stop for the bearing 29 as it is pressed disc, respectively, of the device of Fig. 1. into place s fl nge 3 is p eferably of slightly Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are three views on enlarged scale less p h than the post flan e 27 to prevent h of .a detail of the device of Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 5 bedisc I6 and the base I5 being clamped in noning a top plan view, Fig. 6 a side elevational rotatable relation when the nut 2I is t t n view, and Fig. 7 a cross-sectional assembly view. The device is pr id d with the fol win scales,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged elevational vi w of th charts, and reference marks or lines. The base thumb nut of Figs 1 and 2, I5 has one circular scale and two annular charts Fig. 9 is a plan view of a further embodiment at different radial distances from the axis of the of this invention. A post 22 or the axis of rotation of the disc I 6. The

Fig. 10 is a plan view of an embodiment of this innermost of these is the scale M which is graduinvention and illustrates a construction from ated as a clock into the twenty-four hours of the which the device of Fig. 9 may be readily formed. day and smaller subdivisions thereof. The scale Referring now to the drawings and the embodi- 4| is illustrated as progressing in a counterclockmentor Figs. 1 through 8, inclusive, the device wise direction. Next is the annular chart 2 which comprises a base I5, a disc I6, an arm I1, and provides corrections, in minutes of arc, to be ap-- means (see particularly Figs. 6 and 8) for retainplied to the latitude of the observation station ing these parts I5, I6 and IT in assembled and for determining the altitude of Polaris. The outadjustable relation. It is recommended that the ermost chart -43 is an annular series or arrangeseveral parts of the device be made of durable ment of curves of the azimuth of Polaris which material, which is reasonably rigid and resistant m y be e p d m nv n i n azimuth to warping. The 'disc I6 may be made to fit into formulas.

a circular recess in the base I5 (see Fig. 2) so that The disc I 6 is provided about its circumference the upper surfaces of the disc I6 and the base I5 with a clockwise progressive date scale 4e. This shall be flush (in the same plane). The disc I6 date scale 44 is graduated as a calendar for one may be provided with one or more finger holes I8, year as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, so that by or other means, to facilitate its turning by the rotating the disc I6 the date of observation may user. The arm IIis of transparent material. The be set opposite the time of observation of the base I5 and the disc I6 may be of material which scale Al. The disc I6 is also provided with index is opaque, translucent, or transparent, as desired. lines 45 and 46 for use in adjusting the arm IT,

The base I 5, the disc I6, and the arm I1 are reindex line 45 being arcuate and index line 46 bctained in assembled relation by means of a thumb ing straight, inclined and graduated as shown nut 2| threaded onto a threaded post 22, as shown more cl rly in Fi 4- Lin 46 is in lined t n in Fig. 2. The post 22 extends through the hole convenient angle and is so graduated that one 23 of the disc I6 and through a radial slot 24 of the 00 unit of graduation su-btends an angle at center of arm IT. A non-rotatable relation between the the pivot 22 equal to the angle subtended by one post 22 and the disc I 6 is provided by forming the day On the cal nd r sca e 4 r disc ho1e23 of square or other non-circular shape The transparent arm I 1 is provided with three and by having the engaged post section 26 of scales 47, 48 and 49. The scale 41 (Figs. land 3) corresponding shape and size. Justbelow the secis a scale of declination for Polaris and comprises tion 26, the post 22 is provided with a flange 27 a graduated section of the longitudinal center (Figs. 6 and '7), on which rests the marginal disc line of the arm I! and is positioned to overlie the portion surrounding'the opening 23. Thus when curved index line 45. The axial slot 24 permits the parts are assembled, as in Fig. 7: the disc I6 axial or radial movement of th arm IT to adis non-rotatably mounted on the post 22am! the just its declination scale 41 relative to'the curved arm IT, by reason of its slot 24 and the round index line 45 until the proper value of the declinashape of the corresponding post section 28. is both tion scale 41 for a particular observation is over axially (or radially) and rotatably adjustable the index line 45.

relative to the post 22. The disc I6 and the arm The scale 48 is used in adjusting the arm I! I! are clamped to the post 22 by means of the rotatively relative to the disc I6 to allow for variations in longitude, date, and time and for conversion from solar to sidereal time units. The scale 48 is positioned to overlie the graduated, inclined line 46 and comprises parallel lines graduated in degrees of longitude for the width of a standard time zone from the standard time meridian of the zone. The line 46 is inclined for greater accuracy in use of the scale 48 and is graduated for various settings of the scale 48 relative thereto. A table of settings is given below. The first two sections of this table give the settings on line 46 to allow for the relative daily variations in positions between Polaris and the mean sun and to convert mean time to sidereal time units; the last two sections allow for the progressive relative yearly motion.

16. The arm I! is adjusted axially or radially so that the proper declination of Polaris, as shown by the Ephemeris, of the scale 41 registers with (overlies) the index line 45. The arm I! is also adjusted rotatably about the post 22 so that the longitude difierence between the point of observation and the standard meridian of the time zone agrees with the proper index setting, that is, the arm scale 48 is adjusted to a certain setting relative to the index line 45. This setting is determined by the longitude of the observation station and use of the table hereinbefore set out and in the manner above described.

The arm I! having been adjusted into proper position relative to the disc 16, they (16 and I1) are clamped in such position by tightening of the Index settings for time zone, time, and year Time zone Watch time t l Leap year Interval g fi g Setting Time Setting Year Setting Year Setting W. long.=

E. long.=+

44 .00 00 00 Mldn. 00 48 53 0 ()0 04 2 a. In. .08 52 1.06 1 .38 08 4 a. D1. .17 56 1.59 2 .77 12 6 a. m. 25 2.13 3 1.15 60 17 8 a. m. 33 64 2. 66 4 153 l .21 10 a. m. 42 68 3.19 25 Noon 50 72 3. 72 29 2 p. m. .58 76 4. 25 NOTE: For January and 33 4 p. m. .67 80 4. 78 February of leap year, use 37 6 p. m. 75 84 5. 32 1.53 with previous leap year .42 8 p. m. .83 88 5. 85 date; for Feb. 29, use 0 with .46 10 p. 111. .92 92 6. 38 current date and date mark .50 Midn. 1.00 1990 +6. 91 of Feb. 28; for remainder of year, use 0 and current date 1 setting.

This table is given by way of example, it being understood that the list of years may be extended indefinitely to allow for the relative annual changes in position between the mean sun and Polaris. The table is used in the following manher for determining the setting of the arm scale 48 relative to the index line 46. Ascertain the date of the last preceding leap year, and the number of elapsed years since leap year; determine the standard time meridian of the watch. and the approximate watch time of the observation. Read the setting corresponding to each or these values, and obtain their sum. In usual practice, the watch time will be the only value that does not remain constant for a long time in any area. Rotate the arm I! on the disc 15 until the setting on the inclined index line 46 so determined coincides with a reading on the scale 48 corresponding to the longitude diilerence of the observation station from the standard time meridian.

The scale 40 of the arm I! is graduated into degrees of latitude for the observation and overlies the azimuth chart 43 of the base 15.

The arm I! is also provided with an index line 51 and a symbol 52. The index line 51 overlies the altitude correction chart 42 of the base 15. The symbol 52 is a representation of the celest al body on which a determination is being made and enables the user of the present device to visualize the celestial body movement and position.

Use and operation of embodiment of Figures 1 through 8 The initial step in using the device of Figs. 1 through 8 is to set the arm ll relative to the disc thumb screw 21. The disc l6 and arm 11 are turned as a unit until the date of observation on the scale 44 registers with the standard time of the observation on the scale 4|. The azimuth of Polaris is now determined by reference to the position of the latitude of observation of the scale 49 on the azimuth chart 43. The altitude correction is now determined by reference to the position of the altitude index line 5| on the chart 42.

For the purpose of illustrating a specific use of this device, reference may be made to Fig. 1., which shows the setting for the following assumed observations: The place, date and time of observation are, respectively, latitude 36 N., longitude 9030 14]., November 28, 1943, 7:53 m.. C. S. T. (90th meridian W. longitude). From the Ephemeris it is found that the declination of Polaris on November 28, 1943. is 8900. (This value changes only slightly during a period of several months.) From the table set out above, the following values are obtained:

1940 -.53 3 yr, +1.15 8 p. m .83 90th mer. W -.25

Sum -46 44 coincides with the time 7:58p. m. of the scale 4|. The device is now set and adjusted as illustrated in Fig. 1. At 36 on the latitude scale 49, read the azimuth of Polaris on the chart 43 as 18026.3. At the altitude index line or mark 5| on the arm ll, read the altitude correction on the chart 42 as +56. The'correct altitude is, therefore 3656.

Figures 9 and 10 and the arm 63 may be removed by cutting along e their boundaries and may then be pivotally mounted on the base 6| by any suitable means such as a pin, thumbtack, or rivet 64. Thus the device may be produced and distributed economically in large quantities by printing its parts on a single card.

The base 6| is provided with scale 4| and charts 42 and 43 corresponding to the similarly numj bered scales and charts on the base |5 of Fig. 1.

The azimuth chart 43 of Figs. 9 and 10 has a 4-minute blank space 70 at lower culmination,

whereas the azimuth lines in Fig. 1 are continuous at lower culmination. The 4-minute blank space F in the azimuth chart 43 of Figs. 9 and 10 is provided to permit the use of local mean time since this embodiment does not provide relative adjustment of the disc 62 and the arm 63 to allow for conversion to sidereal time.

The disc 62 is provided with a date scale 44 corresponding to the date scale 44 on the disc l of Fig. 1. Where the device is printed on a card or opaque medium, the arm 63 obliterates the underlying time marks of the scale 4|. In this event, the date marks of the date scale 44 opposite the arm 63 would be located at the opposite side of the disc 62, as shown at 66 in Figs. 9 and 10, to be used with the proper time in the other half of the day. To allow for variations in longitude, the time setting on the device of Figs. 9 and must be local mean time, and the user must convert his watch time to local mean time by the usual corrections for the longitude difierence from the standard time meridian to which the watch is set. To eliminate the need for conversion from mean time to sidereal time, the azimuth lines are plotted on a mean time basis, thereby leaving a blank space of approximately 4 minutes at lower culmination. If the directions printed on the disc 62 are observed, the index edge of the pointer arm 63 will never fall within the blank space.

The arm 63 is provided with a declination scale 4! and a latitude scale 49 corresponding to the similarly numbered scales of Fig. 1. In the Fig. 9 embodiment, however, the declination scale 41 overlies the altitude correction chart 42. The arm .63 has a symbol 52 corresponding in position and function to the symbol 52 of Fig. 1.

The device of Fig. 9 requires and provides no relative adjustment of the arm 63 and the disc 62, and can be used very satisfactorily for determining the azimuth and altitude of Polaris within a few minutes of arc, which is sufiiciently accurate for locating the star for a daylight observation. The scales 44 and 4| on the disc 62 and the base 6| are so constructed that when the arm 63 is at the midnight position, or upper culmination, the time of the clock circle or scale 4| corresponding to any date on the calendar circle or scale 44 is the time of upper culmination on that day, or one of the times in that day when Polaris is due north of the observer. As the disc 62 rotates counterclockwise, so that any particular date mark moves progressively around the clock circle 4|, the symbol 52 on the pointer arm 63 actually follows the apparent path of Polaris around the North Pole for that particular day. Therefore, when the time and date of a particular observation are made coincident on the two circles (4| and 44), the angle at the'center between the pointer arm 63 and the UC line represents the actual hour angle of Polaris at that instant, The remaining scales and charts are so constructed that, in that position, the azimuth of Polaris may be read on the azimuth chart 43 at the point of the latitude scale 49 on the pointer arm 63 corresponding to the latitude of the observation station, and the correction to be applied to the latitude of the station to obtain the altitude of Polaris at that instant may be read on the altitude correction chart 42' at the point on the declination scale 41 of the pointer arm 63 corresponding to the declination of Polaris at that time. The declination of Polaris changes very slowly and a singlemean value may be obtained from the Ephemeris and used for this purpose for a full field season.

Use and operation of Figure 9 embodiment The device of, Fig. 9 is used in thejsame manner as the device of- Fig. 1, except that no relative adjustment of the arm 63and disc 62 is provided in the Fig. 9 embodiment.

As a specific example of the use of the second embodiment of this invention reference will be made to the setting as illustrated in Fig. 9. This figure shows the setting for the latitude 4000 N., longitude 7900 W. at 8:14 a. m. E. W. T. on May 23, 1943, To convert watch time to local mean time, one hour is subtracted "from E. W. T. to obtain E. S. T., or the standard time on the 75th meridian, and a correction of 16 minutes of 60 minutes) is added to reduce this to the local mean time at the 79th meridian. The application of these two corrections yields 7:30 a. m. as the local mean time of the observation. The disc 62 is turned until the date, May 23, coincides with the time 7:30 a. m. The device is now set as shown in Fig. 9. At latitude on the pointer arm, the azimuth of Polaris is read as 18044'. The declination of Polaris on May 23, 1943 may be found in the Ephemeris to be 8859'25". At this value on the declination scale 41 of the pointer arm 63, the altitude correction may be read on the chart 42 as The altitude of Polaris is therefore 4050.

Both of the illustrated embodiments present advantages. The embodimentof Figs. 1 through 8 is particularly well suited for ofiice use and exceptionally precise azimuth determinations, such as final computation of an azimuth observation. On the other hand, the device of Figs. 9 and 10 is relatively inexpensive, well adapted 'for field use, and may be provided for use of relatively short duration with reasonably accurate determinations.

The foregoing is to be understood as illustrative, since this invention includes all modifications and embodiments coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for determining the position of a celestial body, said device comprising a base member having indicia constituting an azimuth chart, a member rotatably mounted on said base member, one of said members having indicia constituting a time scale, the other of said members having indicia constituting a date scale, and an arm movable with said rotatable member and having indicia constituting a latitude scale adapted to travel over said azimuth chart, whereby an observer by adjusting said rotatable member to provide a relative setting of said date and time scales according to the date and time of observation may determine the azimuth of the celestial body by taking a reading of the azimuth chart opposite the reading on the latitude scale corresponding to the latitude of his point of observation.

2. A device for determining the position of a celestial body, said device comprising a base, a disc rotatably mounted on said base, and an arm extending outwardly and radially from the periphery of said disc and movable therewith; said disc at the periphery thereof having indicia constituting a circular, clockwise-progressing date scale; said base adjacent the periphery of said disc having indicia constituting a circular, counterclockwise-progressing time scale; said base having indicia constituting an annular aximuth chart generally concentric to said time scale; said arm having indicia constituting a latitude scale adapted to trave1 the annular path defined by said azimuth chart as said disc and arm are rotated as a unit to set said date scale relative to said time scale corresponding to the date and time of an observation.

3. A device for determining the position of a celestial body, said device comprising a base member having indicia constituting an annular azimuth chart and an annular altitude correction chart, a member rotatably mounted on said base member, one of said members having indicia constituting a time scale, the other of said members having indicia constituting a date scale, and an arm movable with said rotatable member and having indicia constituting a declination scale and a longitudinally extending latitude scale, whereby an observer by adjusting said rotatable member to provide a relative setting of said date and time scales according to the date and time of observation may determine altitude correction by taking a reading of the altitude correction chart as indicated by said arm and according to the declination of the celestial body for the time of observation and may determine azimuth by taking a reading of the azimuth chart opposite the reading on the latitude scale corresponding to the latitude of his point of observation.

4. A device for determining the azimuth and altitude of a celestial body, said device comprising a base, a disc rotatably mounted on said base,

an arm extending radially of said disc and movable therewith, said arm being adjustable rotatably and radially relative to said disc, and means for clamping said arm to said disc in adjusted relation; said base and disc having indicia constituting concentric, cooperating, circular time and date scales; said base having indicia constituting an outer annular azimuth chart and an inner annular altitude chart, said altitude chart being concentric with said date and time scales; said arm having indicia constituting a latitude scale and an altitude correction index mark adapted to travel annular paths defined by said azimuth and altitude charts respectively; said arm and disc having cooperating indicia constituting an index line and a longitude scale for use in rotatably adjusting and setting said arm relative to said disc to compensate for variations in longitude, date and time and for conversion from solar to sidereal time units; said arm and disc having additional cooperating indicia constituting an index line and a declination scale for use in radially adjusting said arm relative to said disc to allow for variations in the declination of said celestial body.

5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein the clamping means is rotatably carried by a hearing of the base to provide the rotatable mounting of the disc by said base.

6. A device for determining the azimuth and altitude of a celestial body, said device comprising a base, a disc rotatably mounted on said base, and an arm carried by and extending radially of said disc and movable therewith; said disc and said base having indicia constituting cooperating concentric, circular date and time scales; said base having indicia constituting an annular, altitude correction chart concentric with said date and time scales; said base having indicia constituting an annular azimuth chart generally concentric with said altitude correction chart; said arm having indicia constituting a declination scale and a latitude scale adapted to travel annular paths defined by said altitude correction chart and said azimuth chart, respectively, as said disc and said arm are rotated as a unit to provide a setting of said date and time scales corresponding to the date and time of an observation, whereby an observer by rotatably adjusting said disc to provide a relative setting of said date and time scales according to the date and time of observation may determine the azimuth of the celestial body by taking a reading of the azimuth chart opposite the reading of the latitude scale corresponding to the latitude of his point of observation and also determine altitude correction for the celestial body by taking a reading of the altitude correction chart opposite the reading of the declination scale corresponding to the declination of the celestial body.

JULIUS L. SPEERT. 

